Brush



W. B. KNOX July 1, 1930.

BRUSH Filed Nov. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l `Fuly 1, 1930. l w. B. KNOX Filedmov. 2e, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented `luly l, 1930 WALTER B. KNOX, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA BRUSH Application filed November 26, 1927.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of brushing and scrubbing, and more particularly to fountain brushes or mops especially adapted for the washing or cleaning of finished surfaces. l

It has heretofore been proposed in the art to construct brushes of the general character herein contemplated by providing a single elongated body of material slipped on to 1o a suitable handle portion, and also to provide a cleaning head in the form of a plurality of overlapping convolutions. I find that while both of these constructions possess certain advantages, there are objections inherent to the use thereof. With the elongated body of material there is no predetermined shape and considerable difficulty is encountered, particularly when the parts are wet, in slipping the body into position onto the handle. The plurality of convolutions, while it is self-sustaining, thereby enabling it to be placed into position on a handle, or removed therefrom irrespective of whether it is wet or dry, vis extremely dificult to assemble properly. Also, the inner convolutions impart an undue amount of rigidity to the outer convolution thereby making the operation of threading the body into position on a hook-shaped handle, rather difficult. l

The present invention is directed to a brush involving the inherent desirable characteristics of brushes as hereinbefore con.- st'ructed, andat the same time obviating the objections referred to, by utilizing a cleaning body comprising a single coil of material with its ends held in adjacent relationship, and having supporting means of such character that' the necessary flexibility is in- 40 sured to permit easy application and removal kof the head while preventing any objectionable distortion of the head when it is removed from the handle. f

AIn the accompanying drawings, I have kshown for purposes of illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it being understood ythat the drawings do not define the limits of my invention, as changes in the construction disclosed therein may be made rwithout departing either Serial No. 235,852.

from the spirit of my invention or the scope of my broader claims.

In the drawings: l

. Figure 1 is a top plan View of the head removed from the handle.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the handle itself.

Figure?) is a side elevational view of the head and handle in partly assembled relationship.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of a line IV-,IV of FigureV 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a modified embodiment of my invention; and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5.

In accordance with the present invention, the mop-head, as shown in Figure 1, may comprise an edge piece or strip 2 having a passage 3 extending longitudinally therethrough, the edge serving as a binder for the desired cleaning threads or strings 4:.

The head preferably comprises an elongated body or strip of material having its ends 5 secured in adjacent relationshipv to j' Vprovidea substantially single coil. Preferably, the adjacent ends are secured together in overlapping relationship, as shown in Figure 1, whereby the coil is in the shape of a single convolution with the adjacent Lends offset both .laterally and peripherally. one with respect tothe other. Due to the comparatively smally area of overlap in a construction of this character, no diiiculty is encountered in effectively securing the adjacent ends together in such manner as to prevent relative displacement between the same.

The single coil is extremely desirable due to its flexibility which permits the sameto be threaded easily onto the hook-shaped end 6, carried by handle 7 Where the coil is in the shapeV of a convolution, it will be apparent that ay relative turning movement between the head and hook is effective either for applying or removingthe body. Due to the absence of inner convolutions. the ends may move slightly relative to each other during the application or removal ofthe head, thereby facilitating such an operation. This is particularly true if the connection between provided, is preferably fiexible to permit the described slight movement of therdificrent parts of the coil as desired to' facilitate appli'- cation or removal of the head. In Figure l said supporting means is shown in the form of a filler 8 which may conveniently comprise a len th of resilient wire 9 or theY like upon whic ay second strip of material 10 is placed. The opposite ends of the filler may be secu-red to the coil as indicated in Figure 4, preferably at points spaced from the ends 5A thereof. In this manner collapse of the coil is prevented, while the yielding relationship of the ends is maintained.

In Figures 5 and 6v there is illustrated a slightly modified embodiment of the invention in which theflexible support for the coil is lobtained by the use vof a. flexible insert l1 conveniently in the form of a spiral spring inserted in the opening 4 in the strip 2. Such spring when used preferably has an internal diameter lsubstantially equal to but slightly greater than the external diameter of the hook, and is of such nature as to provide an adequate support for the coil without interfering. with the desired relative movement.

It will be apparent to those skilled inthe artthat the spring supporting means may be utilized either by itself, in the form illustrated ink Figure 5, or in combination with the filler as shown in Figure l.

From the foregoing speciication it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I provide a body preferably in the form of a single coil of convolute shape with the adjavent ends ofthe strip or body comprising the coil secured permanently together in such manner as to permit a slight relative yielding movement therebetween either laterally, vertically or circumferentially.

I also preferably .provide such a single coil with supporting means, conveniently of a fiexible or yielding nature. Where said supporting means is in the form of a filler, it is conveniently securedl substantially transversely `of the coil so .that its ends contact with the coil at points circumferentially spaced from the ends of the coil to thereby permit relative movementof the ends as set forth.

I claim 1. In a brush, ahead com rising an elon-V U5 secured one to the other to form a continuous coil comprising a single thickness only of body material throughout its entire length, said ends being iiexibly secured together to permit a slight relative yielding movement thereof, one end being offset radially from the center of the coil a greater distance than the other.

2. In a brush, a head comprising an elongated body of fibrous material having its ends secured one to the other to form a continuous coil comprising a single thickness only of body material throughout its entire length, said ends being flexibly secured together in overlapping relationship to permit a slight relative yielding movement thereof, and means supplemental to said body for maintainin-g the same against collapse.

3. In a brush, a Iiead comprising an elongated body of material having its ends secured together to form a coil comprising a single thickness only of body material throughout its entire length, said ends being secured to each other to permit a slight relative yielding, movement thereof, said coil having a hollow seam toy adapt it for the reception of a hook and means supplemental to said body for maintaining the same against collapse, said means comprising a flexible insert within said coil and extending substantially transversely thereof, and secured thereto at points spaced from the ends of said coil.,

4. In a brush, ahead comprising a single coil only of body material havi its ad]a cent ends secured to each other 1n overlapping relationship to permit slight relative movement of said ends,v and supporting means for said coil, said coil having a hollow seam for the reception of a hook, the overlapping of saidfends positioning one end of the hollow seam so as to be freely accessible outside of the line of the other coil end.

5. In a brush, a head comprising an elongated body of material having its ends secured together to form a coil comprising a single thickness only of body material throughout its entire length, said ends being secured to each other to permit a slight relative yielding movement thereof, means supplemental to said body for maintaining the same against collapse, said means comprising a flexible insert within said coil and extending substantiall transversely thereof, said coil having a ho low seam to adapt it for the reception of a hook, and a handle having a hook-shaped portion adapted to slide into said hollow seam by a relative turning movement of the head and handle.

6. In a brush, a head comprising an elongated body of material havmg its ends secured together to form a coil comprising a single thickness only of body material throughout its entire length, said ends being secured to each other to permit a slight relative yielding movement thereof,means supplemental to said body for maintaining the same against collapse, said means comprising a flexible insert Within said coil and extending substantially transversely thereof, and secured thereto at points spaced from the ends of Said coil, said coil having a hollow seam to adapt it for the reception of a hook, and a handle having a hook-shaped portion adapted to slide into said hollow seam by a relative turning movement of the head and handle.

7. As an article of manufacture, a brush comprising a head composed of an elongated body of material having its ends secured in adjacent substantially radially oilset relationship to provide a substantially continuous coil of a single thickness only of body material throughout substantially its entire length, said offset ends having openings for the reception of a hook shaped handle portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER B. KNOX. 

